On today’s soccer-focused episode of The IX Sports Podcast, host Kathleen Gier runs through the last week of NWSL results, which include a short-handed 2-0 victory by Portland over Seattle.
Portland finished the game with just nine players after two players picked up red cards. Still, the Thorns managed to come out on top thanks to goals scored by Pietra Tordin and Reilyn Turner.
“Seattle actually led shots 17 to eight in this one. Both teams had four shots on target. So definitely, you wouldn’t think that Seattle would have lost this one 2-0, especially with everything else that went on,” Gier said. “But just a really impressive performance, I think, from Portland, if we’re focusing on that side of it, to keep that composure going down to score those two goals and to get a shutout as well at home in this big kind of rivalry game.”
Week 2 also saw the returns of Andi Sullivan, Tierna Davidson and Savy King to the pitch. Sullivan hadn’t played since October 2024 after tearing her ACL and then going on maternity leave. Davidson is also recovering from a torn ACL. King played for Angel City FC for the first time since May 2025, when she suffered a scary cardiac event and collapsed on the field during a game.
Other results from Week 2 include the Denver Summit’s 1-1 draw with the Orlando Pride, which saw the expansion Summit pick up their first point in the standings. With a solid roster in its inaugural season, headlined by Lindsey Heaps – who is slated to join the team later this season – Gier thinks they’ll be an interesting team to follow this year.
“They also grabbed Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan from Houston and signed Yuzuki Yamamoto. Really interesting to see how they are, kind of bolstering that team as they await the arrival of Lindsey Heaps at the end of the season. … It seems like this team is going to be a lot of fun to watch this year.”
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